A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a spin torque oscillator (STO) element. The data storage device further comprises a differential amplifier comprising a first input coupled to a first end of the STO element and a second input coupled to a second end of the STO element. A bias current is applied to the STO element, and the bias current is adjusted. A resistance delta of the STO element is detected based on an output of the differential amplifier, wherein the resistance delta corresponds to a bias current level when the STO begins to oscillate.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device comprises a magnetic head including a main pole, an auxiliary magnetic pole, side shields disposed on both sides of the main pole in a track width direction with a side gap therebetween, a high frequency oscillation element disposed in the write gap between the main pole and the auxiliary magnetic pole, and a magnetic flux control element disposed in the side gap between the main pole and the side shield to control oscillation frequency of the high frequency oscillation element, an oscillation element controller configured to control bias current supplied to the high frequency oscillation element, and a magnetic flux control element controller configured to control bias current supplied to the magnetic flux control element.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device comprises a magnetic head including a main pole, an auxiliary magnetic pole, side shields disposed on both sides of the main pole in a track width direction with a side gap therebetween, a high frequency oscillation element disposed in the write gap between the main pole and the auxiliary magnetic pole, and a magnetic flux control element disposed in the side gap between the main pole and the side shield to control oscillation frequency of the high frequency oscillation element, an oscillation element controller configured to control bias current supplied to the high frequency oscillation element, and a magnetic flux control element controller configured to control bias current supplied to the magnetic flux control element.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a reproducing portion. The reproducing portion includes first to fourth magnetic portions and a stacked body. The third magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. The fourth magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. A second direction from the third magnetic portion toward the fourth magnetic portion crosses a first direction from the first magnetic portion toward the second magnetic portion. The stacked body is provided between the first and second magnetic portions in the first direction and between the third and fourth magnetic portions in the second direction. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic portion in the first direction, and an intermediate layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers in the first direction.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a reproducing portion. The reproducing portion includes first to fourth magnetic portions and a stacked body. The third magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. The fourth magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. A second direction from the third magnetic portion toward the fourth magnetic portion crosses a first direction from the first magnetic portion toward the second magnetic portion. The stacked body is provided between the first and second magnetic portions in the first direction and between the third and fourth magnetic portions in the second direction. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic portion in the first direction, and an intermediate layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers in the first direction.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a spin torque oscillator (STO) element. The data storage device further comprises a differential amplifier comprising a first input coupled to a first end of the STO element and a second input coupled to a second end of the STO element. A bias current is applied to the STO element, and the bias current is adjusted. A resistance delta of the STO element is detected based on an output of the differential amplifier, wherein the resistance delta corresponds to a bias current level when the STO begins to oscillate.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a spin torque oscillator (STO) element. The data storage device further comprises a differential amplifier comprising a first input coupled to a first end of the STO element and a second input coupled to a second end of the STO element. A bias current is applied to the STO element, and the bias current is adjusted. A resistance delta of the STO element is detected based on an output of the differential amplifier, wherein the resistance delta corresponds to a bias current level when the STO begins to oscillate.

A spin transfer torque (STT) device has a free ferromagnetic layer that includes a Heusler alloy layer and a template layer beneath and in contact with the Heusler alloy layer. The template layer may be a ferromagnetic alloy comprising one or more of Co, Ni and Fe and the element X, where X is selected from one or more of Ta, B, Hf, Zr, W, Nb and Mo. A CoFe nanolayer may be formed below and in contact with the template layer. The STT device may be a spin-torque oscillator (STO), like a STO incorporated into the write head of a magnetic recording disk drive. The STT device may also be a STT in-plane or perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell for magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The template layer reduces the critical current density of the STT device.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a reproducing portion. The reproducing portion includes first to fourth magnetic portions and a stacked body. The third magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. The fourth magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. A second direction from the third magnetic portion toward the fourth magnetic portion crosses a first direction from the first magnetic portion toward the second magnetic portion. The stacked body is provided between the first and second magnetic portions in the first direction and between the third and fourth magnetic portions in the second direction. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic portion in the first direction, and an intermediate layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers in the first direction.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a reproducing portion. The reproducing portion includes first to fourth magnetic portions and a stacked body. The third magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. The fourth magnetic portion is provided between the first and second magnetic portions. A second direction from the third magnetic portion toward the fourth magnetic portion crosses a first direction from the first magnetic portion toward the second magnetic portion. The stacked body is provided between the first and second magnetic portions in the first direction and between the third and fourth magnetic portions in the second direction. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic portion in the first direction, and an intermediate layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers in the first direction.